1 Corinthians

Read 1 Corinthians 14. What’s the primary implication of this text. 

What is your primary purpose in reading the Bible? 

A few questions were included in the message on Sunday when reading Scripture. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 14 and answer the following questions:

1. What does this text tell me about the character of God?
2. What does this tell me about the nature of God?
3. What does this tell me about the love of God?

Read and reflect on the comments of Phillip Yancey and then answer the questions that follow.

In my lifelong study of the Bible, I have looked for an overarching theme, a summary statement of what the whole sprawling book is about. I have settled on this: “God gets his family back.” From the first book to the last the Bible tells of the tortuous lengths to which God will go to reclaim wayward children. Many of Jesus’ stories center on the theme of lostness, captured most beautifully in the story of the prodigal son: “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” In Revelation, the entire biblical drama ends with a huge family reunion. The lost will be found. – Phillip Yancey

What does this quote tell me about the character of God?

What does this tell me about the nature of God?

What does this tell me about the love of God?

Read 1 Corinthians 14.33 and answer the questions that follow. 

1. What does this verse tell me about God?
2. What does it tell me about the character of God?
3. What does it tell us about the love of God? 

Read John 14.27 and answer the questions that follow.

1. What does that say to you about the nature of God?
2. What does it say to you about the love of God? 

In your own words, describe how the worship of the Corinthian Church glorified God. How does the worship at Sanctuary glorify Him? How does your worship bring Him glory? 

What is the primary purpose of Paul writing this letter to the church at Corinth? 

Paul is writing in a spirit of correction and redirection. What’s the primary problem Paul is trying to address? 

The church is missing the mark and in this portion of Scripture Paul is addressing how the Sunday gatherings should honor God and allow the gifts of the church to flourish. Note specific verses where you see Paul writing to correct the church. 

In reading the text, note all the verses in which we at Sanctuary worship in the same manner as the church at Corinth. 

Read 1 Corinthians 14.34-35. In the context of the entire passage, what is this verse saying? How does this text match up with Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 11.2-5, 13-15? 

How do you see the giftedness of women functioning in the life of our Faith Family? 

Read Acts 18 note the specific journey of Priscilla and Aquila. How vital were this couple in their partnership with Paul? 

How do you see Priscilla and Aquila carrying out the Great Commission? 

Take a quick survey of women in ministry in the local church. Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow each text.

• Acts 21.8-9 What does it mean to “prophesy”? 
• Romans 16.1 What is the definition of “deacon”? 
• Romans 16.2-5 What does the phrase, “co-worker” describe? 
• Romans 16.6-8 What does “outstanding among the apostles” mean? 
• 1 Corinthians 12.28 Where do “apostles” stand in terms of using their gifts? 
• Romans 16.9-16 What does this passage say about God? What does it say about the nature of God? What does it say about the love of God? 
• Philippians 4.2-3 Paul again references women as “co-workers.” He also stresses unity. How can you work toward unity in the midst of different perspectives, beliefs, and behaviors?
• Galatians 3.28 When and where have you seen this passage fully lived out? 

Read Acts 16.11-15. How does God use this little group to begin a new church? 

Read Philippians 4.4-9 and rest in His love for you. Rest in His peace. “And may the God of peace be with you.” 

What comes to mind when you hear 1 Corinthians 13?

What do you especially appreciate about 1 Corinthians 13 today?

In verses 1-3 Paul describes the necessity of love. Have you ever experienced the “nothingness” of life without love?

In verses 4-7 we read the poetic description of love. How does your understanding of these verses change when you read them in the context of the issues facing the church in Corinth?

Paul describes the actions of love with “love” being the subject of 16 verbs in a row. How does it challenge you today to see these verses as more than just poetry, but a call to action?

How do you sense God desiring to love others through your actions today?

A measure of love is its “capacity for tension and disagreement without division.” Would people in your life say that this is true of you?

Verse 8-13 point to the preeminence of love and how it will last forever. How have you seen love make an eternal impact in your life?

What is something that you see “dimly” today that you look forward to fully understanding in eternity?

Read Ephesians 3:14-19 and reflect on how you have grown in your understanding of God’s love for you. Ask God to continue to grow your understanding of his love for you!

Read 1 Corinthians 12.12-26. What’s the primary implication of this text? What speaks most personally to you in this text? 

What’s God’s primary purpose for community? How does this primary purpose motivate you to move past that which is good, for that which is best? 

The purpose statement for Sanctuary is, “To be transformed by the Gospel to live and love like Jesus.” How is God currently using community in your transformation? 

In your own words, define Biblical unity.

What’s the difference between Biblical unity and the unity of the world? What’s the difference between Biblical unity and uniformity? How are you experience unity through diversity? 

Using the human body, Paul illustrates our need for one another. How do you see yourself fitting in the Body of Christ? 

Review the text. How does Paul lift up the weak? 

How does Paul lift up the poor, and those who may sense a lack of dignity and worth? 

Isaiah 61 has long been the call of Sanctuary. Read the text and find the connection points between it and 1 Corinthians 12. 

Read Mark 14.3-9. How does Jesus minister to those who are weak, sick, the poor, and those who may sense a lack of worth and value? How does His example challenge you? How does His example motivate you? 

Read and reflect on the following statement: “We don’t go to the poor to make a difference. We go to the poor to make us different.” How have you experienced this statement as truth in your life? How has the poor made you different? 

Read 1 Corinthians 12.25-26. There are members of our Body who are suffering. How might you move toward those who are suffering? How might you allow others to move toward you when you suffer or mourn? 

Four questions were asked as part of the message on Sunday. Answer each. 

With whom are you suffering?

With whom are you rejoicing? 

Who rejoices with you?

Who suffers with you? 

Why is communion so important for the Body of Christ? How important is communion to you? What’s the primary purpose for you in receiving communion?

Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” What’s one step you can take toward someone different than you? How might you express His love to another today? 

Read 1 Peter 2.4-9. What’s the primary implication of this text? 

Notice the phrases in the text that are quoted from the Old Testament. How does it encourage you to know Peter would have referenced the Old Testament as he writes to the churches in Asia Minor? 

What’s the ongoing nature of this text? What’s one example of God’s ongoing work in building you into a spiritual house?

How were the people of Israel a royal priesthood? In what ways did they serve faithfully? How and when did they compromise their calling? 

Read and reflect on the summary of verse 9:
I am chosen. I am a royal priest. I am His treasured possession. Brought from darkness to light to declare His praises. 

How does this truth remind you of your identity? Where does this truth challenge you? Do you see yourself this way, the way God sees you? 

Read 1 Corinthians 12.1-11, 28-30. What is Paul’s primary purpose for writing this text? 

In your own words, define spiritual gifts and the purpose of spiritual gifts. 

Read Romans 12.3-8; Ephesians 4.11-12; 1 Peter 4.9-11. As you read these lists of gifts, how do you see them building up the local church? What’s the priority and purpose of gifts as noted in these texts? 

Read and reflect on the quote from Ked Hemphill:
“A spiritual gift is an individual manifestation of grace from the Father that enables you to serve Him and thus play a vital role in His plan for the redemption of the world.” 

What do you believe is your spiritual gift? How has your gift been affirmed communally? How are you stewarding the gift God has given you? 

Why do some Christians believe the gifts do not operate in the local church any longer? How do you see the gifts at work in our local church? 

Karl Barth noted people come to church with one question on their minds, “Is it true?” What question continues to come to mind as you come to church? How have you experienced the truth of each of the following: 

Is it true?

The love of God,

the saving power of Jesus Christ,

the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit,

the resurrection from the dead,

the forgiveness of sins….

Is it true?